Independence Day: Questions

Everyday as we move closer to out independence day, I can’t help but wonder whether did we ever achieve true independence. Forget the proclamations in a stadium and all those signatures on a piece of paper. Not that I am condemning and making fun of all those things, but to me, independence is a lot more than that. I am doubly sure that some people would actually agree with me.

Why is it that everything in this country seems so fragile? Why does someone jump their heads off when something “taboo” is spoken out in public, when it is clearly not “taboo”? Why do some quarters get left behind in some quarters get left behind in certain public actions? Why is it that I fear my children, and their children will forever be regarded as a person of the other colour? Why am I even writing this in the first place?

I need to ask all this. Why do some parties police the internet looking for blog contents that, according to them, incite hate and create disharmony among races? When did the freedom of expression got bottled up in the name of national secrets and/or security? Why does a man gets questioned by the police when someone incompetent in language skills makes an absurd police report? And why do some people blind the eyes of the people they serve with pointless finger pointing but never with beneficial actions?

Am I inciting hate? Or am I creating disharmony? Am I insulting my rulers? Or am I insulting a religion? Achieving independence is about learning to broaden our minds in every aspect. It is about mending old problems. It is about paving new ways towards advancement in skills and knowledge. Independence is about letting go of outdated policies and believes and replacing them with new ideas for the benefit of all of a country’s residents.

50 years of independence has brought us much advancement and achievements. But none would be so foolish if he were thinking that all of this is enough. There is a long, long way to go. Even after 50 years, there are some aspects still with closed doors and closed minds. Let’s just hope they open up by the time the next 50 comes up. I wish my goodwill upon all who read this.

HAPPY MERDEKA